EP3177175B1 - Bottle for a liquid or pasty cosmetic product, having a retractable application element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a liquid or pasty cosmetic product bottle, comprising a retractable applicator element, provided with an applicator which is engaged, outside the periods of application of the product, in a tubular container containing the product to be applied; it is particularly applicable to mascara or gloss bottles, that is to say fluid products, ie liquid or viscous.

In a conventional manner, bottles for a liquid or viscous cosmetic product have an application element. This application element comprises in practice a cap that the user grasps with the fingers of one hand to apply the product on her eyelashes or lips, for example. The fact that the product is fluid means that effective sealing must be performed outside the periods of product application, when the cap is engaged on the neck of the bottle; this sealing is in practice obtained by a closure by screwing or clipping of the cap on the neck of the bottle. As a result, the cap is an element that forms a substantial portion of the outer surface of a mascara or gloss bottle in a closed configuration, and that combined movements or significant efforts may be required to open the front vial. a product application action.

• un corps allongé selon une direction longitudinale et muni d'un fond et d'un bord libre,
• un réservoir contenu dans ce corps et mobile en translation entre une position stable basse et une position stable haute, ce réservoir comportant un col,
• un dispositif élastiquement compressible à deux positions stables de recul disposé entre le corps et le réservoir et dont les deux positions stables axiales de recul définissent les deux positions stables basse et haute du réservoir,
• un élément d'application comportant une tige terminée par un applicateur adapté à se charger en mascara, cet élément d'application ayant une configuration de repos dans laquelle une partie de la tige et l'applicateur sont contenus dans le réservoir en sorte de permettre à l'applicateur de se charger en mascara, et pouvant quitter cette configuration de repos jusqu'à être complètement sorti hors du réservoir et du flacon,
• un capuchon solidaire de la tige de l'élément d'application et adapté à s'engager à l'intérieur du corps, les configurations axiales stables de recul du dispositif élastiquement compressible étant telles que lorsque l'élément d'application est dans sa configuration de repos dans le réservoir, soit le capuchon est escamoté dans le corps en affleurement avec le bord libre du corps, soit il est au moins en partie en saillie hors de ce corps,
• un essoreur ménagé en sortie du réservoir en sorte d'être traversé par l'applicateur lors de sa pénétration dans le réservoir ou lors de son extraction hors de celui-ci, et
• des éléments complémentaires d'étanchéité portés respectivement par la tige et le col du réservoir constitués d'une protubérance portée par la tige et de griffes d'accrochage prévues sur le col du réservoir ; en position haute du réservoir, les griffes s'écartent hors du volume intérieur du corps dans lequel le réservoir coulisse, tandis qu'en position basse, ces griffes sont maintenues en configuration rapprochée par la paroi interne de ce corps en sorte de rester en prise sur la protubérance.

A variant has been described in the document EP - 1,721,543 which, among various containers of cosmetic product, describes a bottle of mascara (or even gloss) comprising:

• a body elongate in a longitudinal direction and provided with a bottom and a free edge,
• a reservoir contained in this body and movable in translation between a low stable position and a high stable position, this reservoir comprising a neck,
• an elastically compressible device with two stable recoil positions disposed between the body and the reservoir and whose two stable axial recoil positions define the two low and high stable positions of the reservoir,
• an applicator element comprising a rod terminated by an applicator adapted to be loaded with mascara, said applicator element having a rest configuration in which a portion of the rod and the applicator are contained in the reservoir so as to enable the applicator to be loaded with mascara, and able to leave this resting configuration until it is completely out of the tank and the bottle,
• a cap integral with the rod of the applicator element and adapted to engage inside the body, the stable axial recoil configurations of the elastically compressible device being such that when the applicator element is in its configuration resting in the reservoir, either the cap is retracted into the body flush with the free edge of the body, or it is at least partly projecting out of this body,
• a wiper provided at the outlet of the reservoir so as to be traversed by the applicator during its penetration into the reservoir or during its extraction from it, and
• additional sealing elements carried respectively by the stem and the neck of the tank consisting of a protuberance carried by the rod and hooking claws provided on the neck of the tank; in the high position of the tank, the claws move away from the interior of the body in which the tank slides, while in the low position, these claws are maintained in close configuration by the inner wall of the body so as to remain in engagement on the protuberance.

Such a configuration is simple and reliable to use without significant risk of inadvertent opening, while allowing a very refined aesthetic (the mobile part retracts completely in rest configuration, telescopically), and without leading to a crippling obstruction .

It should be noted that, in such a bottle, the tank is movable between two main positions which are essentially defined by the device elastically compressible, the complementary sealing elements remaining in engagement with each other as the tank has not reached its upper position and must come axially outside the body to be able to separate. This implies that the stroke of the elastically compressible device must be at least equal to the axial dimension of the cap.

Thus, such a bottle is not only simple and reliable in use but also has good sealing characteristics, without requiring complex movements on the part of the user, but at the cost of a certain complexity of structure and dimensional constraints.

It was then proposed, by the document FR - 2 936 939 (or EP - 2,346,370 ), a liquid or pasty cosmetic product bottle having a better seal without all the same dimensional constraints.

This bottle has various differences from the teachings of the document EP - 1,721,543 .

In particular, as regards the sealing means, the rod comprises a protuberance comprising, in the direction of the applicator, a sealing portion and, in the direction of the cap, a transverse bearing, and the reservoir comprises, below at its neck, a narrowing adapted to receive in axial abutment the sealing portion and, beyond its neck, a collar formed along its circumference, a plurality of rigid sectors and elastic sectors, this collar having a relaxed configuration in which it has a transverse bulk greater than the internal section of the body and a restricted configuration in which it is confined inside this body, the rigid sectors comprising, along the inner edge of this collar, flanges adapted to come into axial abutment against the transverse extent of the protuberance so as to maintain the sealing portion against shrinkage when the application element is in its rest configuration; preferably, at least the rigid sectors of the flange further comprise external flanges bearing against the inner wall of the body for maintaining the flange in its restricted configuration inside the body; advantageously, the flange is connected by a skirt also formed of rigid or flexible portions, styling the shrinkage of the tank; preferably, the shrinkage is part of an insert attached to the reservoir which comprises, in the direction of the tank interior, a wiper lip.

Furthermore, this document proposes that, as soon as the elastically compressible device brings the cap into a configuration where it provides a sufficient grip so that the fingers of a user can apply a pull, it is no longer required that this device elastically compressible is able to remount the tank to its upper working position, a tensile force on the cap to complete the upward movement of the tank to this high position, in which the tank can then be maintained by the presence of a hard point braking the descent from this high position.

It is understood that the aforementioned cooperation between the protuberance of the rod and the sealing elements provided near the neck of the reservoir have, compared to the teachings of the document. EP - 1,721,543 , the advantage of no longer use claws radially movable relative to the axis of the rod being separated by slots may become fouled by the product brought by the applicator, which can affect the sharpness the neck of the tank and the durability of the applicator; indeed, this document proposes to dispose, between the rigid sectors of the collar, resilient sectors providing a circumferential continuity of this collar.

However, the collar, like the claws of the previous document, can not deviate radially and release the protuberance when the tank is sufficiently raised in the body for this collar (or these claws) is outside this body; in other words, the release of the protuberance is fixed by crossing the edge of the body in which retracts the application element. Furthermore, the seal results from the existence of an axial component resulting from the effect of the flange on the protuberance, which amounts to saying that the axial coupling function between the applicator element and the reservoir and the sealing function are coupled.

However, there are some configurations where it would be interesting to be able to separate these functions of axial coupling by locking and sealing, of in particular to dissociate the aforementioned axial coupling to an intermediate level inside the body while maintaining the seal.

• un corps longiligne, s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale (Z-Z), muni d'une zone de fond et d'un bord libre,
• un réservoir contenant ce produit et mobile en translation dans le corps entre une position d'enfoncement maximum et une position d'enfoncement minimum dite position haute de travail, ce réservoir comportant un fond et un bord à l'opposé de ce fond,
• un dispositif élastiquement compressible situé entre le corps et le réservoir et ayant deux configurations axiales stables de recul par rapport à une configuration de rétraction axiale maximale déterminant la position d'enfoncement maximum du réservoir dans le corps, à savoir une configuration d'extension maximale déterminant la position haute de travail du réservoir, et une configuration rétractée stable déterminant pour ce réservoir une position basse de repos qui est intermédiaire entre la position d'enfoncement maximum et la position haute de travail, le passage de ce dispositif de l'une à l'autre de ces configurations stables se faisant par rétraction dans la configuration de rétraction axiale maximale, à l'encontre d'un ressort axial interposé entre ce corps et ce réservoir,
• un élément d'application solidaire d'un capuchon, et comportant une tige solidaire de ce capuchon et terminée par un applicateur adapté à se charger en produit lorsqu'il est plongé dans le réservoir en une configuration de fermeture par rapport à ce réservoir dans laquelle cette tige traverse le bord du réservoir, ce capuchon étant adapté, dans la configuration de fermeture, à être escamoté au moins approximativement à l'intérieur du corps et, lorsque le réservoir est dans sa position haute de travail, à être au moins en partie en saillie hors du corps sur une distance suffisante pour permettre l'extraction de l'élément d'application hors du réservoir et du corps par saisie entre des doigts d'une utilisatrice et simple traction axiale,
• des éléments complémentaires répartis sur la tige de l'élément d'application et sur le réservoir près de son bord libre pour atteler axialement la tige au réservoir tout en assurant une obturation étanche du réservoir auprès de son bord lorsque ce réservoir est dans sa configuration d'enfoncement maximum,
  caractérisé en ce que ces éléments complémentaires comportent :
  • * une pièce périphérique dont une partie haute coiffe le bord du réservoir en s'étendant latéralement jusqu'à la surface interne du corps et dont une partie basse est engagée de manière étanche dans le réservoir près de son bord,
  • * une pièce interne en un matériau plus souple que celui constituant la pièce périphérique et fixée à cette pièce périphérique, la pièce interne comportant une jupe interne comportant une partie haute ayant une surface interne évasée vers l'extérieur du réservoir,
  • * un doigt mobile transversalement dans la pièce périphérique en sorte de se rapprocher ou s'éloigner de la direction longitudinale, et comportant une tête située transversalement à l'extérieur du réservoir, mais en permanence à l'intérieur du corps,
  • * une surface formant came ménagée sur la surface interne du corps, adaptée à pousser la tête vers la direction longitudinale lors d'un mouvement de descente du réservoir dans le corps, et
  • * une portion élargie ménagée sur la tige en un endroit tel que, lorsque l'élément d'application est dans sa configuration de fermeture dans le réservoir, cette portion élargie est engagée par frottement dans la partie haute de la jupe interne en étant, par rapport à la direction longitudinale, à un niveau inférieur à celui du doigt.

The invention proposes for this purpose a bottle for a liquid or pasty cosmetic product comprising:

• an elongated body, extending in a longitudinal direction (ZZ), provided with a bottom zone and a free edge,
• a reservoir containing this product and movable in translation in the body between a maximum driving position and a minimum driving position said high working position, this tank having a bottom and an edge opposite this bottom,
• an elastically compressible device located between the body and the reservoir and having two stable axial recoil configurations with respect to a maximum axial retraction configuration determining the maximum sink position of the reservoir in the body, i.e. a maximum extension configuration determining the high working position of the tank, and a stable retracted configuration determining for this tank a low rest position which is intermediate between the maximum driving position and the high working position, the passage of this device from one to the other. other of these stable configurations being retracted in the configuration of maximum axial retraction, against an axial spring interposed between this body and this reservoir,
• an applicator element integral with a cap, and comprising a rod integral with the cap and terminated by an applicator adapted to be loaded with product when it is immersed in the reservoir in a closed configuration with respect to this reservoir in which this rod passes through the edge of the tank, this cap being adapted, in the closed configuration, to be retracted at least approximately inside the body and, when the tank is in its upper working position, to be at least partly protruding out of the body a sufficient distance to allow extraction of the applicator element from the reservoir and the body by grasping between the fingers of a user and simple axial traction,
• complementary elements distributed on the rod of the applicator element and on the reservoir near its free edge to axially connect the rod to the reservoir while ensuring sealing of the tank near its edge when the reservoir is in its configuration. maximum sink,
  characterized in that these complementary elements comprise:
  • * a peripheral part whose upper part caps the edge of the tank extending laterally to the inner surface of the body and a lower part is sealingly engaged in the tank near its edge,
  • an inner part made of a material that is more flexible than that constituting the peripheral part and fixed to this peripheral piece, the inner part comprising an inner skirt comprising an upper part having an internal surface flared towards the outside of the tank,
  • a movable finger transversely in the peripheral piece so as to move towards or away from the longitudinal direction, and having a head located transversely to the outside of the tank, but permanently inside the body,
  • a camming surface formed on the inner surface of the body, adapted to push the head towards the longitudinal direction during a downward movement of the reservoir in the body, and
  • an enlarged portion formed on the rod in a place such that, when the applicator element is in its closed configuration in the reservoir, this enlarged portion is engaged by friction in the upper part of the inner skirt, being, for example, relative to the longitudinal direction, at a level lower than that of the finger.

It may be noted that, according to the invention, the unlocking of the axial coupling between the applicator element and the reservoir can be done at any point chosen by the designer of the bottle inside the body, without it is necessary that the tank, or that the peripheral or internal parts, leave this body; this helps to maintain the aesthetics of the bottle including use configuration. Moreover, the frictional engagement of the portion widened rod in the upper part of the inner skirt, ensures a satisfactory seal independently of locking in an axial direction provided by the movable finger.

It should be noted that the invention does not imply a number of single pieces greater than that which is provided in the known solutions.

Advantageously, the cam surface is located to cooperate with the head of the finger on the end of the tank stroke towards its maximum driving position. That is to say that the locking of the applicator element on the reservoir takes place only on a small part of the displacement of the reservoir; it can be noted that, if the raising of the tank to its upper working position (minimum driving position) is provided by the elastically compressible device, a traction of the application element by the fingers of a user In practice, this occurs only at times when this applicator element can be separated from the reservoir without the need to maintain the seal with the reservoir; the friction engagement of the enlarged portion in the upper part of the inner skirt does not need to be done with much force.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the cam surface is located so as to cooperate with the head of the finger over a longitudinal distance at most equal to one third of the displacement of the reservoir inside the body from the low rest configuration.

According to yet another advantageous characteristic, the flared surface of the upper part of the inner skirt of the inner part is connected to a relief, advantageously annular, intended to cooperate with the widened portion of the rod, in which is advantageously formed a hollow, possibly annular, intended to receive this relief. In a variant, the flared surface of this inner skirt is connected to a hollow, advantageously annular, intended to cooperate with the widened portion of the rod, which is advantageously provided with a preferably annular relief.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the inner skirt further comprises a lower part - the inner skirt thus forming a double skirt - and the lower part converges towards the bottom of the tank and towards the longitudinal direction.

The lower part is for example more flexible than the upper part.

According to yet another advantageous characteristic, the rod comprises a narrowed zone located longitudinally at a level such that, when the applicator element is in its closed configuration in the reservoir, a free edge of the lower part of the inner skirt of the inner part is located around this narrowed area. This helps to allow a balancing of the air pressure inside the tank and to minimize the forces suffered by this lower part in the lower configuration of the tank in the body; indeed, the deformation of the upper part due to the engagement of the enlarged portion of the rod can induce an inclination of the lower part to the longitudinal direction; then there is no interest in this lower part is pressed against the rod (on the contrary, it is preferable that this lower part is not solicited elastically during periods when the bottle is not used).

According to another advantageous characteristic, the lower part of the inner skirt of the inner part extends, in the longitudinal direction, over a distance at most equal to half the distance over which the upper part of this inner skirt extends. .

According to another advantageous characteristic, the lower part of the inner skirt of the inner part has a thickness which decreases towards the bottom of the tank. This allows to give a great flexibility to this lower part near its free edge, which facilitates its role of spin lip.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the widened portion of the rod of the applicator element comprises a convergent portion extending from an upper edge of a flared surface of this enlarged portion towards the stem, for example towards a vertex of the rod, so as to force a spacing of the finger vis-à-vis the rod during a longitudinal movement of the applicator element out of the tank. This helps to ensure that the finger is moved away from the rod when the head is no longer applied against the cam surface.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the peripheral piece and the inner piece are made of moldable plastic materials. This allows a great simplicity of manufacture.

Furthermore, the peripheral part and the inner part may be shaped in one piece or in two separate parts which would then, for example, resiliently nested one into the other.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the body comprises an outer part and an inner part in which is formed the cam surface. This allows to choose for the outer part a material providing the desired aesthetic and for the inner part a different material compatible with the desired geometry.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the internal surface of the body and the external surface of the reservoir comprise complementary elements constituting a hard point inducing a resistance to movements of the reservoir in the body from its high working position, in particular for example to the descent of the tank into the body from its upper working position.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un flacon selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, en configuration rétractée,
• la figure 2 en est une vue similaire, mais en configuration d'extension,
• la figure 3 est une vue agrandie de la partie haute du flacon dans sa configuration d'extension,
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un autre flacon conforme à l'invention, dans un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du flacon des figures 1 à 3, en configuration rétractée,
• la figure 6 en est une vue en perspective en configuration d'extension,
• la figure 7 est une vue en élévation de ce flacon en configuration rétractée,
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe du sous-ensemble constitué par le corps et le réservoir,
• la figure 9 montre en éclaté une cage interne du corps, un ressort, un doigt et un réservoir du sous-ensemble de la figure 8, et
• la figure 10 présente en perspective la cage interne de la figure 9.

Objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of nonlimiting illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a bottle according to a first embodiment of the invention, in retracted configuration,
• the figure 2 is a similar view, but in extension configuration,
• the figure 3 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the bottle in its extension configuration,
• the figure 4 is an axial sectional view of another bottle according to the invention, in a second embodiment,
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottle of Figures 1 to 3 , in retracted configuration,
• the figure 6 is a perspective view in extension configuration,
• the figure 7 is an elevational view of this bottle in retracted configuration,
• the figure 8 is a sectional view of the subset constituted by the body and the reservoir,
• the figure 9 exploded shows an internal cage of the body, a spring, a finger and a reservoir of the subset of the figure 8 , and
• the figure 10 presents in perspective the internal cage of the figure 9 .

The Figures 1 to 3 represent a bottle rated 1 as a whole. It comprises mainly a body 10, a tubular reservoir 20 movable inside the body 10, an elastically compressible assembly 30 interposed between the body and the reservoir, an application element 40 adapted to cooperate with the reservoir 20 and a cap 50 which carries the application element 40 and which is adapted to close the body 10 when the application element 40 is engaged in the reservoir 20.

The body 10 is elongate, elongate in a longitudinal direction ZZ, here vertical, provided with a bottom zone 11 and a free edge 12. The longitudinal direction here is an axis of symmetry, the section of the body having, in the example, a square shape (see Figures 5 and 6 ), or more precisely a form of curved square, that is to say that the lateral faces of the body are bulged outwardly. In variant not shown, the section may have a rectangle shape, or a simpler geometrical shape, for example that of a circle (symmetry of revolution), or even a more complex shape, for example polygonal with a greater number of angles. four, or oval, etc. Preferably, this longitudinal direction is such that, in any plane passing through it, it is an axis of symmetry for the intersection of the body and this plane.

The body 10 may be formed in one piece, or be formed of several pieces attached to each other (for example a tube which is reported a bottom piece). In the example shown here, this body is formed of an outer metal sleeve 10A (defining the side wall and the bottom), the material and the texture of which are mainly chosen according to the appearance that one wishes to give to the vial and an inner cage 10B, for example formed of plastic.

The cage 10B, also represented on the Figures 9 and 10 , comprises a bottom 10C and three uprights 10D, 10E, 10F which are arranged in three of the four dihedrals of the side wall of the sheath. The outer contour defined by the three amounts of the cage has dimensions substantially equal to the inner dimensions of the sleeve, so that the cage can be housed in the bottom of the sleeve. And the inner contour defined by the three amounts of the cage has a circular envelope to allow the guiding of a reservoir 20 which will be described later. Two of the three uprights have a height which is close to half the height of the sheath, this height not being decisive, and the third upright 10F is extended by a riser which ends with an inclined surface 16 and a range of Lateral support 15. These elements will be described later. The set has a height which is defined by the height of the sheath and the movement of the tank inside the body. This will be described in more detail later. The three uprights can be interconnected by cross members distributed over the height of the cage. The opening of the cage which is in the dihedral devoid of amount allows the release of the part during injection and also allows the assembly of the reservoir and the elastically compressible assembly inside the cage.

The cage 10B is housed in the bottom of the sleeve 10A, and these elements are assembled by any appropriate means and in particular by bonding with a hot melt glue. Other means may also be suitable. As has been said above, the sheath and the cage can be monobloc.

The reservoir 20 contains a fluid, that is to say liquid or viscous, to be applied using the application element 40. The product is represented under the reference 100 in FIG. figure 8 . This is gloss but may alternatively be mascara in particular. This reservoir comprises a bottom 21 and an edge 22; its section is shaped so as to be able to slide (by simple displacement of translation) between the amounts of the cage between two longitudinally offset configurations, one of which corresponds to a maximum depression in the body towards the bottom of the body and the other corresponds to a minimum sink in this body. This tank is designed so as to be entirely contained in this body over the entire travel between these two recess configurations. The height of the tank is therefore lower than the height of the body less the amplitude of displacement of the tank between its two driving configurations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir has a circular general section, as shown in FIG. figure 9 . It is possible that the wall locally has a shoulder marked by a change in the diameter of the reservoir, such as the shoulder 23 which will be described later. Internally, the tank also has a circular section. This form of section is however not limiting, it is preferred because it allows a better return of the product.

The elastically compressible assembly 30 interposed between the cage and the tank is designed, in a manner known per se, to give the tank two stable positions of recoil with respect to the maximum driving configuration: in the figure 1 , the reservoir is, relative to the body, in one of these stable positions which is described as "stable low recoil position", that is to say in a stable position close to the maximum recess configuration; in the figure 2 , the reservoir is, relative to the body, in the other stable recoil position, which is a "stable high recoil position" and which corresponds to the minimum recess configuration of the aforementioned tank. The assembly 30 comprises in practice a spring 31 compressed longitudinally between the bottom 11 of the body and the reservoir (here between the bottom 10C of the cage and the shoulder 23 formed externally in the wall of the tank), combined with a follower pin 33 carried by the tank along a track 34, represented in particular figure 9 , dug in the amount of the middle of the cage, the amount 10E, and at least a portion is inverted heart shape. For more details we can refer, in particular, to the document EP - 1,721,543 , or to the document EP - 2,346,370 . In operation, when the reservoir 20 is in one of its stable positions of recoil with respect to the bottom 11 of the body, a pressure applied thereto up to the maximum recess configuration (not shown) allows it to come under the effect of the spring 31 to its other recess configuration.

Other modes of construction of the elastically compressible assembly may also be suitable, such as those described in the patent application EP 1 721 543 or EP 2,346,370 .

The low stable recoil position of the tank is defined by the positioning of the follower pin 33 at the dead point 34A of the track. The high stable position of recoil is defined by the circulation of two diametrically opposed skids protruding from the cage (only the skid 10G is visible in the figure 9 ) which circulate in two diametrically opposite grooves hollowed on the outer surface of the tank 20 (only the groove 24 is visible in the figure 9 ). In high stable position, the pads are in abutment against the lower end of the grooves and the spring 31 is not fully relaxed, it exerts a thrust between the cage and the reservoir. Other modes of construction may also be suitable for limiting the stroke of the reservoir to the free edge 12 of the body.

The applicator element 40 comprises a rod 41 terminated by an applicator 42 adapted to be loaded with product when it is immersed in the reservoir in a so-called "closure" configuration with respect to this reservoir. At the other end is the cap 50 through which a user holds the applicator element during use. The applicator 42 is of a known type and will not be described in detail. It can be spatula, brush, brush or any other suitable type. It is attached to the end of the rod, or it can be made in one piece with the rod.

The cap 50 has a section shaped so as to slide with a small side play in the upper body until retracted.

The cap 50 is integral with the applicator element 40, but is generally formed of a part distinct from this element. In the example shown, the rod 41 is surmounted by a head which is force-fitted to the inside the cap but, alternatively, it may be a single piece, if the production technique allows.

The reservoir 20 is provided on its free edge 22 with a peripheral insert 25 in which an inner insert 26 is mounted. Because of the respective functions of these two parts, the inner part 26 is a material having a rigidity. less than that of the peripheral part 25.

As presented on the figure 3 , the peripheral piece 25 comprises a lower part 25A (with reference to the direction ZZ), of generally cylindrical shape and which is forcibly engaged in the upper part of the reservoir near the free edge 22, and a top part 25B which protrudes laterally out of from the reservoir to the inner wall of the body, thus closing the space located laterally between the outer wall of the tank and the inner wall of the body while being able to slide along the inner wall during movement of the tank inside. from the body ; an overhanging portion 25E of this upper portion 25B, whose shape and dimensions substantially correspond to those of the body at its free end 12, can be likened to a circumferential sliding lip adapted to follow the inner wall of the body. In this way, the tank is guided in the body, in its lower part by the uprights of the cage and in its upper part by the protruding lip portion 25E which slides along the inner wall of the sheath.

The upper portion 25B comprises, below the projecting portion, a bore directed towards the longitudinal direction Z-Z and in which is mounted a finger 25C adapted to slide there. This hole is here perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z-Z but may alternatively have a slight inclination with respect to a plane perpendicular to this longitudinal direction Z-Z.

This finger 25C has an inner end adapted to protrude, in some of its positions in the bore, towards the longitudinal direction ZZ, and an enlarged head located outside the upper part 25B being adapted to cooperate with various surfaces disposed outside the tank, as is described later.

To do this, the finger can be located, vertically, above the free edge of the tank. However, to ensure optimum mechanical strength of the upper part 25B in the tank, and therefore an optimal holding of the finger in this upper part, this finger is preferably located through the wall of the tank, thanks to a notch (or a simple longitudinal opening) provided locally in the tank wall, which allows this finger to be located, longitudinally, at a level where the upper part 25B is held in the tank.

The lower edge of the notch, noted 27 at the figure 3 or visible figure 9 , is shaped so as to serve as a stop for the head when the finger 25C is approaching the longitudinal direction ZZ.

When the reservoir is in position in the body, the finger 25C is in alignment with the third upright 10F of the cage and its enlarged head is called to come into contact with the inclined surface 16 of the upright.

The inclined surface 16 is provided to bring the finger 25C from its position away from the longitudinal direction ZZ (position of the figure 2 ) in its position close to the longitudinal direction ZZ (position of the figure 1 ) during the depression of the cap 50 and the applicator inside the body. The lateral support surface 15 holds the finger in its close position when the reservoir is in its low position of recoil.

As illustrated on the figure 3 , the inner part 26 comprises, here, from a transverse portion 26A, an outer skirt 26B and an inner double skirt 26C + 26D; the inner skirt being here called double because it comprises an upper portion 26C and a lower portion 26D.

It is important to note that this lower part is only optional, since the functions of the device of the invention are ensured even in the absence of such a low part.

This outer skirt 26B is shaped so as to fit elastically around a lower portion 25D of the lower part 25A of the peripheral part 25; more precisely, this external skirt, oriented towards the high in the figures, here comprises a bead 26F along its upper edge, projecting towards the longitudinal direction ZZ from the outer skirt 26B, while the lower portion 25D of the peripheral piece 25 comprises, along its lower edge, a bead 25F projecting away from the longitudinal direction ZZ; it is understood that the combination of these two beads 25F and 26F provides good mutual interlocking parts 25 and 26; however, the presence of these beads is only optional. The transverse portion 26A preferably defines the bottom of an annular groove defined by this outer skirt 26B and an upper portion 26C of the inner double skirt 26C + 26D.

This upper part 26C, facing upwards in the figures from the transverse part 26A, has a wall which is generally oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction while having an internal surface 26 ^E (facing the longitudinal direction) which is flared upwards, and an outer surface (facing the lower portion 25D of the peripheral piece 25) which is approximately parallel to the inner surface of this lower portion of the peripheral piece 25; it can therefore be said that this upper part 26C delimits here a volume of substantially cylindrical shape in the mathematical sense of the term (section for example polygonal, or oval, in particular), or even in the usual sense of the term (section disc), depending the geometry of the rod of the application element (see below). An annular space is provided between this upper part of the double skirt and the lower portion of the peripheral piece, intended to allow deformation of this upper part opposite the longitudinal direction.

A lower portion 26D of the inner double skirt, which extends the upper portion 26C downwardly from the transverse portion 26A, converges slightly downwardly and longitudinally; as will be seen later, this lower part is intended to ensure a spin of the applicator. Furthermore, this lower part may have a tapered section downwards, giving it a flexibility that increases from the transverse portion which allows it to act as a spin lip on the rod. The lower part of the skirt is however optional.

An intermediate portion 26G connects the upper portion 26C and the lower portion 26D. This intermediate portion is cylindrical. The intermediate portion is located at the transverse portion 26A of the inner part.

The outer skirt 26B, which has a function of fixing the inner part 26 on the part 25, and the upper part 26C of the double skirt, which will be seen to have a sealing function, are thicker than the part 26D low double skirt which, in order to perform a good spin, is more flexible than the other parts.

This method of construction of the peripheral part 25 and the inner part 26 gives good results, but other modes of construction are also possible, in particular the peripheral part 25 and the inner part 26 could be made in one piece, by injection or, where appropriate, by bi-injection.

The behavior of the finger 25C as a function of the position of the reservoir relative to the body makes it possible to temporarily lock the applicator element in the reservoir when the reservoir is in its stable low recoil configuration and that the rod cooperates with the inner part 26 to close the tank airtight manner.

Indeed, this finger and the inner part cooperate with an enlarged portion 44 provided on the rod 41 of the applicator element.

In a first step, when the reservoir is lowered to its maximum retracted position, the finger comes into contact with the cam surface 16 and is pushed towards the ZZ axis while the enlarged portion 44 is under the finger level.

Thus, the rod 41 comprises, near the cap, the widened portion 44. This enlarged portion is intended to cooperate with the inner part 26 when the applicator element is engaged at the maximum in the reservoir, in the closed configuration, and is therefore located on the rod in an area that comes within the piece 26 during this closure configuration.

More specifically, this enlarged portion 44 has a flared bottom portion 45 which has a geometry and dimensions advantageously close to the geometry and internal dimensions of the upper part of the double skirt of the inner part 26. In the example shown, the flared inner surface of the upper part of the double skirt has an inclination substantially equal, with respect to the longitudinal direction, the inclination of the flared portion 45; alternatively, the inclination of this inner surface may be a few degrees lower than that of the flared portion, to take into account that the double skirt can rock a few degrees relative to the transverse portion 26A. These inclinations come from here that these surfaces are frustoconical.

For example, the flared surface of the upper portion 26C of the double skirt and that of the flared portion 45 of the rod have inclinations equal to at least 3 °, for example in a range of 5 to 20 °.

In the example shown here, the enlarged portion 44 further comprises an annular rib 46, in relief, adapted to penetrate into the wall of the intermediate portion 26G of the double skirt 26 by locally deforming the wall. The annular rib 46 is here formed around the flared portion 45. This wall of the intermediate portion may comprise a hollow area such as a groove adapted to receive at least in part this annular rib. As a variant, the flared portion may be connected to a hollow zone adapted to cooperate with a raised zone formed on the wall of the intermediate portion.

Cooperating respectively with the upper portion 26C and the intermediate portion 26G; the flared portion 45 of the rod and the annular rib 46 seal the reservoir when the applicator is in the closed position ( figure 1 ). In addition to its sealing function, the flared potion 45 also acts on the finger 25C during closure of the bottle in the case where the finger has approached the ZZ axis, this will be described in more detail later.

The flared portion 45 is connected to a convergent upper portion 47 of the enlarged portion 44 which converges towards an upper part of the rod.

The convergent portion 47, which lies below the level of the finger 25C in the closed configuration ( figure 1 ), is intended to move the finger from the ZZ axis to its position of the figure 2 when the tank rises after leaving its maximum driving position.

Preferably, when the enlarged portion is engaged in the upper part of the double skirt, the free end of the lower part of the double skirt is facing transversely of a portion 48 of the rod which locally has a reduced section.

In the closing configuration of the figure 1 the applicator element is fully engaged in the reservoir, i.e. the applicator 42 is in its lowest position in the reservoir. In this closure configuration, the enlarged portion of the rod is engaged against the flared inner surface of the upper part of the double skirt of the piece 26, which can expand thanks to the clearance between the outer surface of this upper part and the inner surface of the lower portion of the piece 25.

The finger 25C, which is above the level of the enlarged portion 44, is retained in its position close to the axis ZZ by the lateral bearing surface 15. It retains the applicator by opposing the passage of the enlarged portion 44. Furthermore, the seal is provided by the cooperation of the outer surface of the enlarged portion 44 and the inner surface of the upper portion 26C of the double skirt of the part 26. These two functions are however independent .

It may be noted that, in the example shown, the closure configuration is a configuration in which the inner portion of the cap is in longitudinal support against the upper part 25B of the peripheral part 25; however, the existence of such a longitudinal support could be made in another place, or even not exist, without affecting the locking and sealing effects described above.

The height h of the cap 50 is substantially equal to the stroke of the reservoir between its stable configuration maximum depression and its minimum recess configuration so that in the first position the cap is flush with the free edge 12 of the body, and that in the second position, the cap offers sufficient grip to be grasped between the fingers of one hand and extracted from the tank.

The lateral bearing surface 15 extends from the cam surface 16 to a depth in the reservoir which is greater than the stroke of the reservoir between its high stable position and its maximum driving configuration, so that, at least in the lower part of the reservoir stroke, the applicator and the reservoir are coupled to each other. The position of the cam surface 16 is not critical. This position determines when the reservoir stroke the applicator and the reservoir are coupled to each other or when this coupling is released. In the configuration of the figure 1 , the applicator element is in its closed configuration in the reservoir, while this reservoir is in its stable low recoil configuration in the body. The cap is then retracted into the body and therefore offers no grip to the fingers of a user who would like to apply traction to the outside; it is understandable that the same comment would apply if the cap came only a short distance projecting out of the body.

When the user wants to use the applicator to apply the product contained in the bottle, it applies a thrust on the cap, so as to lower the tank in its maximum recess configuration, and allow the spring to go up the tank to its minimal sink configuration the figure 2 . The lateral bearing surface 15 extends downwards over a distance such that the descent of the tank from its configuration of the figure 1 in its maximum driving configuration is possible without damaging the finger 25C.

During the upward movement of the reservoir in the body under the effect of the spring 31, the locking of the finger by the lateral bearing surface 15 is eliminated as soon as the head passes upwards the cam surface 16. However, the finger remains in position. position close to the ZZ axis until the application element is removed from the reservoir. Until this moment, the seal between the flared surface of the enlarged portion of the rod and the flared inner surface of the upper part of the double skirt of the piece 26 is retained simply by the fact of contact and adhesion. natural between the surfaces ensuring this seal.

The fact that the locking can be done by recoil of the finger inside the body has the advantage that the reservoir can remain completely inside the body in its stable configuration of minimum recoil. It has been seen that, in the example shown, the piece 25 closes the lateral space between the reservoir and the body; this closure is advantageously ensured, in the minimum recess configuration of the reservoir of the figure 2 (or the figure 3 ), at the free edge 12 of the body, that is to say that the widest part of the part 25 is then advantageously at the same level as the free edge. It is understood that the level at which the cam surface 16 is located can be freely selected by the designer of the bottle, but preferably this level is located rather towards the maximum driving position than towards the minimum driving position, and by For example, the cam surface is located so as to cooperate with the head of the finger at a distance at most equal to one-third of the displacement of the reservoir inside the body from the low rest configuration.

In this configuration of the figure 2 where the tank is in its minimum driving configuration, the application element is still engaged by friction in the tank. Since the cap protrudes out of the body for a distance allowing gripping of this cap by the fingers of a user, the extraction of the applicator element out of the reservoir can be done by simply pulling on this cap; this traction on the application element induces only moderate traction on the reservoir, and the friction existing between the reservoir and the body may be sufficient to retain the reservoir in the body while the application element is free of the reservoir by simply spacing the enlarged portion 44 vis-à-vis the piece 26.

Upon extraction of the applicator element, the convergent surface 47 pushes the finger 25C. And if by chance the finger approaches the ZZ axis while the applicator element is out of the reservoir, then it is the flared bottom portion 45 which repositions the finger in the right position at the moment when the applicator is re-introduced into the tank.

It may be noted that, when it is anticipated that the peripheral piece 25 will be flush with the free edge of the body in the recess configuration minimum (that is, the high stable recoil configuration), the distance from which the cap projects out of the body is substantially its height h (see figure 2 ). However, it may be provided that the peripheral piece does not rise to the level of the free edge of the body without the operation described below being substantially modified (see figure 4 ).

As the traction on the cap continues, the applicator element separates and deviates longitudinally with respect to the reservoir. In a first step, the lower part of the double skirt of the piece 26 is slightly elastically biased because the diameter of the rod is advantageously chosen to a value slightly greater than the diameter of the section delimited by the lower free edge of this lower part when it is not biased towards the tank wall. There is therefore a slight scraping of the product that may have attached to the stem. In a second step, this lower part is biased elastically by the applicator 42; since it has in practice a section greater than that of the rod, it is understood that the free edge of the lower part of the double skirt provides scraping (or spinning) of the applicator to detach the excess product which is attached to it. The user can then apply the product as she wishes, where she wishes.

When the user wants to reload the applicator product, it plunges the applicator into the tank as is done with a usual bottle. The tank is kept in a high stable position by the spring thrust and does not move significantly relative to the body.

When the user has finished applying the product and wants to return the bottle to a resting configuration, she pushes the applicator element into the reservoir and continues to push on the cap, causing the reservoir to begin to go down in the body. When the reservoir is lowered at the cam surface 16, the latter forces the finger head to move closer to the rod, which has the effect that the finger engages towards the rod, above the portion convergent 47. The application element is then locked on the reservoir; all of these two parts then down to the maximum sink configuration of the tank. When the user releasing its thrust force, the spring then returns the reservoir in its stable low recoil configuration where the cap of the application element is retracted into the body. The applicator element is then locked in position in the reservoir while the combination of the flared surfaces of the enlarged portion 44 and the upper part of the double skirt of the portion 26 provide a good seal.

It may be noted that, in such a configuration, the locking function is dissociated from the sealing function and that these functions are activated by very moderate forces, regardless of the longitudinal position of the reservoir in the body, without any part the tank has to leave the body, longitudinally or laterally in any position of the tank. Moreover, the spinning effect provided by the lower part of the double skirt is obtained while this lower part extends over a short longitudinal distance; the inner piece 26 has a simple shape and is easy to manufacture; likewise the peripheral piece has a simple shape and is easy to manufacture. As for the geometry of the enlarged portion of the stem, it is also simple. The number of single pieces is only three, namely the peripheral piece 25, the associated finger 25C mounted thereon, and the inner piece 26.

The figure 4 represents an alternative embodiment of a bottle according to the invention. The elements of this bottle, noted 101 as a whole, which are similar to those of Figures 1 to 3 are designated by reference signs which are deduced from the reference signs of these Figures 1 to 3 by adding the number 100.

This bottle 101 thus comprises, like the bottle 1, a body 110, a reservoir 120, an elastically compressible device with two stable recoil positions 130, an applicator element 140 and a cap 150.

The cap 150 differs slightly from the cap 50 by the geometry of its internal structure, in particular as regards the fact that it is by a peripheral part that this internal part bears against the upper surface of the piece 125, without this have an effect on the operation described above; the space between the surface external of the upper part 126C of the double skirt of the piece 126 and the inner surface of the piece 125 is larger than in the bottle 1, which has the effect of allowing greater lateral deformation of the upper part while facilitating the mounting of the inner part 126 on the peripheral piece 125.

Unlike the case of Figures 1 to 3 , the reservoir 120 of the bottle 101 does not rise until the periphery of the piece 125 is flush with the free edge 112 of the body, but remains below this edge by a distance denoted d . Accordingly, when the reservoir is in its minimum recess configuration, the cap does not come completely outside the body, but it is sufficiently high relative to the body to allow its grip.

In addition, the reservoir and the body have facing surfaces which are shaped so as to ensure retention of the reservoir in the upper position in the body. More specifically, the cage 110B that comprises the body 110 comprises, in at least one zone, here in an upper zone situated approximately at the level of the lateral bearing surface 115 under the cam surface 116, but being displaced circumferentially ( here right in the figure 4 ), a projection 117 in the direction of the rod, while the outer surface of the tank has a projection 118 adapted to come just above this projection 117 when the tank is in its minimum recess configuration. At least one of these protrusions, here projection 118, is connected to an inclined surface 119 forming a contact surface for the other protrusion during a relative movement of mounting of the reservoir relative to the body. Thus, when the reservoir passes from the low stable position to the high stable position, the projection 117 slides on the inclined surface which gives a braking effect. The rise of the tank under the thrust of the spring is slowed down this way. Other construction methods may also be suitable. When the tank reaches its high stable position, the projection 118 crosses the hump formed by the other projection, so we have a hard point effect. This hard spot effect is also felt when the bottle is closed when the user presses on the cap 150 to retract it into the body.

It can be noted that the projection 117 is located above an area in which guiding elements may be provided to ensure a good guiding of the reservoir in the body without risk of rotation.

The inserts are obtained here by molding plastic materials, for example a thermoplastic material (polyamide, PVC or low-density polyethylene, in particular) or an elastomer material with high rigidity with respect to the peripheral piece and an elastomeric material for the workpiece reported internally. Alternatively they could form only one part made in mono or bi-injection.

The Figures 5 and 6 represent in perspective the bottle 1 in the retracted configuration of the figure 1 , or in the extension configuration of the figure 2 , respectively. It will be appreciated that the section of the body and the cap is square with slightly curved edges; since the movement of the application element can be engaged by simple translation in the tank it is indeed possible to give the body any desired section (polygonal, oval, or clover-shaped, etc.). It is possible to give the tank a similar shape (for example slightly smaller than that of the body) or on the contrary a different shape, for example a circular section, leaving, laterally, between the inner surface of the body and the external surface of the tank a space having a maximum width facing the edges of the body, which accommodates guide elements, or a portion of the elastically compressible device to two stable positions of recoil.

We can note on the figure 7 that to say that the hood is retracted into the body does not imply that any part of the hood does not overflow the body; in fact what matters is that the cap offers the outside (to the fingers of a user or to an object that would come into contact with the bottle, for example in a bag) insufficient intake to extract the application element out of the body, or to push on this cap until the tank is in its maximum sink configuration. In the example shown here, the face of the cap which is accessible to the outside is curved, resulting in a slight protrusion of e .

The examination of figure 8 allows to appreciate that, due to the small longitudinal size of all parts 25 and 26, the reservoir can be filled with product 100 to a level close to its free edge.

Finally, as mentioned previously, Figures 9 and 10 , showing perspective views, allow to better appreciate the constitution of the cage 10B, the spring 31, the follower pin 33, and the reservoir 20. It is particularly easier to observe that the cage 10B has three uprights positioned here to three of its four corners, with the middle amount, the amount 10E which has no amount opposite, which includes the track 34, and the amount 10F which is extended by the enhancement which ends with the inclined surface 16 and the lateral bearing surface 15.

The invention is not limited to the modes of construction that have been described. It applies generally to any cosmetic product dispenser where the liquid or pasty product is applied using an applicator.

Claims (10)

1. A container (1, 101) for a pasty or liquid cosmetic product, comprising:

   - an elongate body (10, 110), extending in a longitudinal direction (Z-Z), provided with a bottom zone (11) and a free edge (12),

   - a reservoir (20, 120) containing that product and which is movable in translation in the body between a position of maximum pushing-in and a position of minimum pushing-in referred to as high working position, that reservoir comprising a bottom (21) and an edge (22) remote from that bottom,

   - an elastically compressible device (30, 130) situated between the body (10, 110) and the reservoir (20, 120) and having two stable axial configurations of withdrawal relative to a configuration of maximum axial retraction determining the position of maximum pushing-in of the reservoir into the body, that is to say a configuration of maximum extension determining the high working position of the reservoir, and a stable retracted configuration determining for that reservoir a low resting position which is intermediate between the position of maximum pushing-in and the high working position, the passage of that device from one to the other of these stable configurations being made by retraction into the configuration of maximum axial retraction, against an axial spring (31, 131) interposed between that body and that reservoir,

   - an application member (40, 140) joined to a cap (50, 150), and comprising a shaft (41, 141) joined to that cap and terminated by an applicator (42, 142) configured to be loaded with product when it is plunged into the reservoir in a closing configuration relative to that reservoir in which that shaft traverses the edge of the reservoir, that cap being configured, in the closing configuration, to be retracted at least approximately within the body and, when that reservoir is in its high working position, to project at least partly out from the body by a distance sufficient to enable the extraction of the application member out from the reservoir and from the body by grasping between the fingers of a user and mere axial pulling,

   - complementary members distributed on the shaft of the application member and on the reservoir near its free edge to axially link the shaft to the reservoir while ensuring sealing obturation of the reservoir at its edge when that reservoir is in its configuration of maximum pushing-in,
   characterized in that these complementary members comprise:

   * a peripheral part (25, 125) of which an upper portion caps the edge of the reservoir while extending laterally to the inside surface of the body and of which a lower portion is sealingly engaged in the reservoir near its edge,

   * an inside part (26, 126) of a more flexible material than that constituting the peripheral part and which is fastened to that peripheral part, the inside part comprising an inside skirt comprising an upper portion (26C) having an inside surface which is flared towards the outside of the reservoir;

   * a finger (25C) which is movable transversely in the peripheral part so as to move closer or farther away from the longitudinal direction, and comprising a head situated transversely outside the reservoir, but always inside the body,

   * a cam-forming surface (16, 116) provided on the inside surface of the body, configured to push the head towards the longitudinal direction at the time of a descending movement of the reservoir into the body, and

   * a widened portion (44, 144) provided on the shaft at a location such that, when the application member is in its closing configuration in the reservoir, that widened portion is engaged by friction in the upper portion of the inside skirt and, relative to the longitudinal direction, being at a lower level than that of the finger.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the cam-forming surface (16) is situated so as to cooperate with the head of the finger over a longitudinal distance at most equal to one third of the range of movement of the reservoir within the body starting from the low resting configuration.
3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flared surface of the upper portion (26C) of the inside skirt of the inside part is connected to a formation in relief (26G), or a hollow, adapted to cooperate with a hollow, or a formation in relief (46), formed on the widened portion (44, 144) of the shaft.
4. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inside skirt comprises a lower portion (26D) convergent towards the bottom of the reservoir and towards the longitudinal direction and the shaft comprises a constricted zone (48) situated longitudinally at a level such that, when the application member is in its closing configuration in the reservoir, a free edge of the lower portion (26D) of the inside skirt of the inside part is situated around that constricted zone.
5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the lower portion (26D) of the inside skirt of the inside part extends, in the longitudinal direction, over a distance at most equal to half the distance over which extends the upper portion of that inside skirt.
6. A container according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the lower portion (26D) of the inside skirt of the inside part has a thickness which reduces towards the bottom of the reservoir.
7. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the widened portion (44, 144) of the shaft of the application member comprises a convergent portion (47) extending from an upper edge of a flared surface (45) of that widened portion (44, 144) towards the shaft, so as to force spreading of the finger relative to the shaft during a longitudinal movement of taking out the application member from the reservoir.
8. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral part and the inside part are of moldable plastic materials.
9. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body (10, 110) comprises an outside part (10A) and an inside part (10B) in which is provided the cam-forming surface (16, 116).
10. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inside surface of the body (10, 110) and the outside surface of the reservoir (20, 120) comprise complementary members (117, 118) constituting a point of increased resistance inducing resistance to the descent of the reservoir into the body from its high working position.

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